winze

Noun

winze (plural winzes)

1. A steep shaft for such purposes as: to join two levels in a mine; or to explore greater depths when considering whether to open a new level; or to permit forced ventilation of deeper levels.
   • The air on the 2,350-ft. level passes through the main drift, while the air from the fan on the 2,250-ft. level passes into a cross-cut and a drift east of the main drift, returns, and joins the air passing through the main drift towards the Ophir winze.1909 George J. Young Ventilating-System at the Comstock Mines, Nevada. Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. Vol. XLI 1910. (Spokane Meeting, September 1909)
   • A formation that is liable to fool the prospector, I found in the Oconguas district... In prospecting along the stream ... I got some rich pannings. The gold was rather angular and I decided that it had not traveled far. I proceeded up the hill... panning the manto and getting "colors" all the way...1910 T. Lane Carter: Mining in Nicaragua. Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. Vol. XLI. 1910. Canal Zone Meeting, October, 1910